Phillip Lee

Phillip Lee is a Principal Legal Counsel at the Samsung Electronics US IP Center, where he manages a robust patent litigation docket and provides strategic advice as in-house counsel. His practice primarily focuses on defending Samsung in patent infringement actions, evidenced by his appearances as defendant-side counsel in 18 out of 22 tracked cases. He also engages in offensive patent actions for Samsung, appearing as plaintiff-side counsel in 4 cases, which often include initiating inter partes review (IPR) proceedings.

Lee is a veteran litigator with experience across a range of technologies, including software, electronics, and telecommunications. His case portfolio indicates a strong focus on wireless communication, networking, memory modules, standard-essential patents (SEPs), and artificial intelligence. Notable cases include those involving Massively Broadband LLC (wireless communication, 5G mmWave), Netlist, Inc. (hybrid memory, DDR4 RDIMMs/LRDIMMs), Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc. (WiFi disputes, SEPs), and VB Assets, LLC (voice-based natural language understanding, AI/Bixby).

He is actively involved in PTAB proceedings, frequently leveraging IPRs to challenge patent validity. For instance, he has been involved in IPRs filed by Samsung against patents asserted by Netlist, Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc., Massively Broadband LLC, and VB Assets, LLC. A significant outcome includes the Federal Circuit's affirmance of the cancellation of a Netlist patent (US 10,217,523 B1) related to multi-mode memory module technology in March 2025, a decisive appellate victory for Samsung in a dispute he was involved in. Lee also handles licensing and IP provisions of commercial agreements.

Lee is admitted to practice in California, New York, and Washington D.C., and is licensed before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He earned his law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law and previously served as a judicial law clerk in both the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He also holds an adjunct lecturer position at Santa Clara University School of Law.